Henry and Freddie Spink are totally dependent on others for their support. Their parents Michael and Henrietta Spink must fund raise for them as are both severely disabled. Both of them live at home with Michael and Henrietta full time. Their parents support is essential for Henry and Freddie to lead fulfilled lives, for keeping them safe and looking after every aspect of their care. As you can imagine, this is extremely challenging, and you can help by donating on the Helping Henry and Freddie GoFundMe page. We have a goal of £50,000.

Here is an update on the Spink Family.

Henry’s medical condition has deteriorated in the past year. He is now 35, cannot walk or talk, and has uncontrolled epilepsy which has recently become much worse. Michael and Henrietta have been warned of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death from epilepsy). Henry has emergency epilepsy medication and has to be monitored at all times. He was in hospital between 28 November 2022 and 3 March 2023 with a massive episode of seizures, suffering over 15000 (an unbelievable number) in three and a half months! It was a miracle he survived. Henry was in hospital again in April 2023. He needs all personal care provided including feeding. He is doubly incontinent. He is awake each night due to epilepsy, lack of continence, administration of medication or is just awake and needing attention. He is currently on a midazolam syringe pump 24 hours a day (usually used for palliative care) and being fed through a PEG tube into his stomach. He has difficulty maintaining temperature. He has profound and multiple leaning difficulties. Every aspect of his life is organised by Henrietta and Michael. He lacks capacity.

Freddie is now 31, and is autistic with severe learning difficulties. He needs support for all his personal care. He has a restricted oesophagus due to having been born with a diaphragmatic hernia that needed surgery at birth and involved him spending six weeks on full life support. While on life support he suffered a stroke. The restricted oesophagus means every mouthful of food has to be prepared in a way that he can swallow it or he can potentially choke. If that happens, Freddie must be admitted to hospital for emergency surgery. This has happened six times and is life threatening. Freddie has limited mobility and some speech. He is up through the night needing the loo, or being very busy. He needs monitoring all the time. Freddie has behavioural issues and suffers from anxiety. All aspects of his life must be organised by Henrietta and Michael. He, too, lacks capacity.

Funds are continually needed throughout the year for the care of the boys. Michael and Henrietta are overwhelmed by the annual expenses involved in caring for their sons and helping them to live lives which are as fulfilled as possible. On top of all this, the Spink Family’s care agency said it could not cope with Henry and gave notice, leaving Michael and Henrietta with the added, horrendous burden of working to be placed with another care agency.

The very high level of need for both of their sons means Henrietta and Michael are continually struggling to take care of them properly within their own limited resources. The current inflationary pressures which are affecting everyone are hitting the Spinks particularly hard and, frankly, supporting the boys is beyond any normal family. This is why Henry and Freddie, Michael and Henrietta, need your help.

If you or anyone you know wishes to support Henry and Freddie, a donation can be made to the Helping Henry and Freddie GoFundMe appeal.